Colombian Graffiti Artist, 17, Dies After Being Tased By Miami Police

An unidentified French Police officer presents a stun gun which is to be used experimentally by the anti-criminal brigades, in Paris, Tuesday Sept. 20, 2005. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
(AP)

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A 17-year-old graffiti artist died after he was shocked with a stun gun after he was caught spray painting a Miami building.

Authorities say police fired the non-lethal weapon at Israel Hernandez-Llach after he resisted arrest, according to the Miami Beach police.

Chief Ray Martinez told the Miami Herald that officers spotted Hernandez-Llach painting graffiti on an abandoned fast-food restaurant early Tuesday. Martinez said the teen ran, but was eventually cornered. He said Hernandez-Llach then ran at the officers and one shot him with a Taser in the chest. The teen went into medical duress and died at a hospital.

“The city of Miami Beach would like to extend their condolences to the family of Israel Hernandez,’’ Martinez said.

The teen's friends told the Herald that Hernandez-Llach was originally from Colombia. His teachers at Miami Beach High School said he was a talented artist and photographer.

“He wanted to change the world somehow through art,” the teenager’s 21-year-old sister, Offir Hernandez said.

The artist allegedly led police on a wild pursuit through the streets of Miami.